FREESTYLE COLLECTIVE GIVES 'BET JAZZ' NEW UPSCALE LOOK

Freestyle Collective designer Ken Tanabe notes that while many broadcast graphics packages are over the top these days, the key to success for this package would be exercising restraint. Freestyle opted for clean and simple aesthetic that would depict an air of sophistication. The studio created the full network re-brand, including toolkit, backgrounds, promo elements and show package that can be used with various programming. Set in venues such as a suburban home, a high-rise flat and a Lear jet, the spots sport colorful backdrops offset by black silhouettes. Featuring the many faces of BETJ, the spots showcase some of the musical genres to be seen on the network.

Adobe After Effects and Autodesk/Alias Maya were used to execute the package, which features music from the Opus1 Music Library. Freestyle credits include designer Simon Benjamin, animator Mark Bellncula, lead 3D animator Entae Kim and junior 3D animator Christina Sidoti. Beth Vogt served as senior producer and Suzanne Rieger as producer. Victor Newman was creative director.

The job follows Freestyle’s recent work for Viacom’s sister network, Tempo, which has a pan-Caribbean theme.